Elixirs aren't too bulky and can be sold anywhere, so I could take them with me. But Night-Luminescent Pearls were a different story.
Dozens of fist-sized Night-Luminescent Pearls. More than a dozen head-sized ones too.
Carrying all that around would be a hassle. So I decided to bury them nearby for now.
Still, who the hell made all this? The Black Wall's material was already unbelievable.
This many Night-Luminescent Pearls... Well, they went so far as to bring me to a place like this, so pearls probably weren't the real issue.
Anyway, I lightened my load and headed down the mountain path.
A path with no trace of human passage. The kind only mountain beasts might tread.
I set off along it, loosening up my body with light movements.
The soil beneath my feet after sixty-seven years. The wind brushing my ears. The rustling of leaves.
It felt like being born anew.
This sensation was so familiar, yet equally alien.
In truth, it was like being reborn. My current form had nothing in common with the me from my life in Korea.
I stomped the ground and launched myself into the air.
The earth pushed back just right, and my body floated lightly through the void.
Unbelievable movement. Unreal footwork.
Stepping on branches and scaling cliffs, I climbed to the top of a small peak.
Where the hell am I?
Climbing high wouldn't necessarily tell me exactly where I was.
But I could probably spot a place where people might live.
Besides, I needed to figure out what time period this was.
I didn't find any settlements, but I did spot an artificially made mountain trail.
Where there's a path, there are travelers.
Follow it, and it'd lead to people.
So I headed straight there, then veered off slightly to move swiftly parallel to it.
After a while, I spotted city walls in the distance.
A city. A fairly large one, at that.
Going there should give me some answers. Definitely.
No identification was required at the gates, so I slipped inside casually, like it was nothing.
A barrage of smells assaulted my nose.
The scent of people. Not in a good way.
But there was no helping it. I'd have to get used to smells like this from now on.
Then, amid it all, a decent aroma wafted over.
Food. Meat, most likely.
The human body is truly mysterious.
Sixty-seven years without a bite of meat, and I hadn't cared. But one whiff, and my stomach roared to life.
Whoa. I can't hold back. How long has it been since I last felt hunger like this?
The problem was, I had no money.
If this was the martial world, there'd at least be silver taels or something.
I had nothing. Just one fist-sized Night-Luminescent Pearl and my elixirs.
I couldn't just walk into some random inn and offer elixirs. So I'd need to exchange one for cash first.
Another problem: where to sell these elixirs?
Were there shops that dealt in spiritual medicines? Probably not.
Of course, a big merchant group might handle it.
But I didn't even know where I was. No clue where any merchant groups were located.
Maybe I should wander a bit more... That's when I spotted some guys.
Neat black martial robes, swords on their backs, faint auras of inner energy. Two men.
Martial artists. Their level? Weak. Very weak.
I didn't know the local standards, but no one would call those guys first-rate.
Anyway, they looked like they knew things, so I approached.
As I walked straight toward them, one noticed and eyed me.
Soon the other did too, and both stared.
"Excuse me, could I ask you something?"
I cupped my hands with a friendly smile, and their expressions turned subtly odd.
"What is it?"
"I'm looking to sell some elixirs. Is there a place around here that gives the best price?"
The bearded one who'd noticed me first eyed me steadily before replying in a flat tone.
"Try the Myriad Mirror Merchant Group."
"Ah, thank you. Do you happen to know where they are? I'm new to these parts..."
Then the other guy cut in abruptly.
"Nah, skip that. Go to the Hapae Sect instead. They'll give you a better deal."
"Oh, really? Unfortunately, I don't know where that's at either."
"Ha. You're in luck, brother. No worries there. We're heading to the Hapae Sect ourselves right now."
The bearded one shot a glare at the surly guy.
Then he turned back to me and spoke.
"Yeah. That sounds good."
Their reactions were off. And I had a rough idea why.
Fine by me. This was the martial world, after all. Time to test if my guess was right.
"Thank you. Once I sell the elixirs, I'll buy you two great heroes a round of drinks."
"Keh heh. Don't forget it. Let's go, then."
The two stepped ahead of me and sauntered off.
I followed, and we ended up exiting the gate I'd come through.
"So the Hapae Sect is outside the city?"
"That's right. Not far. We'll be there soon."
"Got it."
They led me onto a mountain path.
Funny. This was the same path I'd taken earlier.
I was thoroughly enjoying the situation.
Like an old grandpa watching kids play their antics.
You know exactly what they're up to, but you play along anyway?
Their patience didn't last long.
Once we were on the path and a bit away from the city, they showed their true colors.
"Hey, little brother. So what kind of elixirs are you selling?"
"Ah, nothing too precious."
"We'll see about that. Pull one out and show us."
"Here? On a mountain path? I'll show you when we get to the Hapae Sect."
The surly one smirked, gripping the sword on his back.
"Ha. You really have no clue, huh? Listen up, kid. There is no Hapae Sect. This guy's totally clueless, eh? Heh heh."
The man laughed like it was the funniest thing, and the bearded one joined in.
From helpful passersby to bandits in an instant.
Good thing I'd concealed my presence. What a delightful welcome to the world.
I gave it some serious thought.
What to do with these clowns?
I'd mastered the profound Obliterating Origin Divine Art, but I'd never used it on a person.
Using martial arts on trash like this felt like overkill.
"Heh heh. Cat got your tongue? Sigh. Kid, that's what you get for yelling 'I'm a sucker!' everywhere you go. Hey? Fine! This old man's feeling generous. Hand over your stuff nice and quiet, and we won't hurt you. How's that for mercy? Huh?"
"First."
"What?"
"Shut that trap. Your breath stinks."
And with a sharp crack!, my fist slammed into the surly one's face.
His already ugly mug got even worse—broken nose and all.
The bearded one swung his sword in a panic, but it was laughably slow.
Too slow to even nick me by accident.
So I caught the blade with my fingers. His eyes bulged wide.
"Tch."
My toe cracked against his shin with a sharp snap.
"Arghhh!"
"Ugh, shut up."
I shattered the other shin too.
He collapsed, screaming like he was dying.
"Keep screaming, and the next one's your neck."
At my low voice, he desperately stifled his cries.
Guess their lives really are precious to them, huh?
"You there. Come here."
I beckoned with my fingers, and the ugly one I'd punched crawled over, trembling.
"S-sorry! Great hero! Mercy, please!"
This one gave up quick. Prostrating fully, hands clasped in plea.
"That depends on what you do from now on. So answer my questions honestly."
"Y-yes, sir!"
And so began my Q&A session.
My questions were simple.
Where is this? What era is it? Basic stuff.
"Good job. Live right from now on. No more of this crap."
With that, I broke both his shins too.
Ah, should I have done arms instead? Now they can't even walk.
But that's not my problem.
I ignored them and took a "reform encouragement fee."
A decent pouch of silver taels.
No need to trade elixirs for cash now.
Nice start. They handed it right over.
I retraced my steps back to the city.
Grunts echoed behind me for a bit, then faded.
Did I go too hard? Nah, bandits.
If I'd really been a pushover, they'd have taken my life without a second thought.
With those thoughts, I reentered the city—and now I truly knew what world I'd landed in.
A place that glorified violence and barbarism.
Where might makes right.
They call it chivalry, the way of the martial artist—but deep down, it's all like those thugs.
Still, I tried to think positive.
Running into scum like that right away didn't mean everyone was the same.
Anyway, now I've got money. Time to eat something.
In the martial world? Gotta hit an inn.
Try some Bamboo Leaf Liquor, thin noodles, Fish-Fragrant Meat Slices, all that good stuff.